hawksbill

I'm planning to rent a car from Avis in San Sebastián, and ultimately drive to Barcelona, where I'll spend a day and a night, before flying out of BCN the next morning.

I had originally considered driving into the city, parking my car overnight, and then driving myself to the airport in the morning. But now I think I'm going to avoid the hassle of driving and parking in the city, and just drop off my car at the airport on the first day, take a taxi into town, and then another taxi to the airport in the morning.

On to my question... I have been able to ascertain from Avis that they have a rental car facility at Terminal 1, where I'll be able to leave my car, drop the key in a drop box, and then walk out and catch a taxi somewhere. Is that the best way to do this? Does anyone know if I could alternatively leave my car at a parking garage in terminal 2? If so, would one or the other be more convenient? The Avis phone rep confirmed for me that they do have an office inside T2, but the phone rep didn't know if cars can be dropped off at T2. If it turns out that the only drop-off point is at T1, then I'd prefer not to waste a lot of time driving around T2 before I discover that.

Dukey1

Drop the car and take a taxi or the train into the city.

Viajero2

From personal experience, droping off a rental car at BCN can be tricky, not a lot of good signage and somewhat confusing directions. So, dropping off the car the day before is a good idea. If your flight the next day is late, then it is also a good idea to go back into Barcelona. You can very easily get to oustide the Terminals where the taxis are but taking a taxi is foolish. Take THE BLUE BUS that leaves Barcelona Airport every 15 minutes and for 5 Euros they wil drop you off at Plaza Cataluña. If not the Blue Bus take the train. If your flight is before noon time, stay near the airport.

hawksbill

Viajero2, thank you for your advice! I will have to look into the Blue Bus, as I'm planning to stay near Plaza Cataluña. However... my flight actually leaves pretty early in the morning. I think it's about a 10 AM departure.

I thought about staying at a hotel near the airport, but I decided that was too many transfers, and it would cut into my time in the city too much. Because I'd have to (1) drop my car at the airport, (2) go to the airport hotel to drop off my stuff, then (3) take another taxi into town, and then (4) take another taxi back to my airport hotel at the end of the night. I'm thinking instead, I'll just head from the airport into town, wander around until I feel like going to bed at my comfortably-located hotel in town, and then wake up super-early and take a taxi to the airport, even if it means having only 4 or 5 hours of sleep. I figure I've got the whole flight home to catch up on my rest. Do you think I'm making a mistake?

Betsy

The bus is blue; however, its name is Aerobus. We have taken it from Placa Catalunya and found it reliable and inexpensive. I think it's about E6.

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s-aerobus.html

Betsy

First run is either 5:00 am or 5:30 am, depending on whether you are going to T1 or T2.

Cowboy1968

If you have bags to check, you may want to check if you can drop them already when you drop the car.

Without luggage to check, I am not sure if you really need to be super early at the airport. So far, I have experienced security at BCN T1 as really quick and efficient. I cannot remember if I ever needed more than 5 minutes.
As I have never departed from BCN to a non-Schengen destination, I don't know how time consuming passport control can be, though.

Re. taxi vs. bus: I'd probably take the Aerobus into town, and a taxi back to the airport next morning - if only to gain 15 minutes in the morning and have no hassles getting myself plus bags (if applicable) to the bus stop on the departure day. But that is more a personal preference than saying either bus or taxi was the only sensible way to go.

hawksbill

Excellent tips, thank you! I'm going to call my airline and see if there's any way to check my large suitcase a day in advance, or ship it as freight, or something. You don't happen to know if there are luggage lockers ground side at T1, do you? I'll check that online. I hadn't thought of jettisoning my checked luggage the day before departure, but it would be very convenient if I can do so.

hawksbill

To follow up on my own question, the answer is yes, there are luggage storage lockers in Terminal 1 at BCN (though not at Terminal 2). Details can be found here: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...irport-t1.html

I'll have to give this a bit more thought, as I suppose the convenience of not lugging a big suitcase into town and back might not be worth the extra time and hassle of bringing my suitcase to the lockers, getting it scanned, storing it in a locker, and then coming back to get it in the morning. But it's nice to know that this service is available.

rialtogrl

Barcelona has a hotel INSIDE the airport... I have never stayed there, but I have considered it.

http://www.premium-traveller.com/en/air-rooms

It is a bit pricey for an "airport hotel" but when you factor everything in, with consideration you want to go into town for the night, its a good deal.

javissamuel

IF you want the best and luxury taxi service then contact with Taxi services Barcelona organization. They provide you finest Barcelona airport service http://www.taxiservicesbarcelona.com/ at low rates.

Mimar

Are you sure there isn't an easily accessed Avis office somewhere on the outskirts of Barcelona? You can drop the car there, taxi into town. And avoid the airport dropoff surcharge.

In general, airports offer more transportation options. If the Avis desk/office isn't in easy walking distance of the passenger terminal, there will have to be a shuttle. Which shuttle you can take to the main terminal where there will be a choice of transportation options.

Robert2533

Take a look at the date of the original post. The clown (first time poster) has simply dug up an old post to advertise their taxi service. Bad dog!